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A restaurant located on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam is not what many folks may think it actually is and certainly isn’t what the United States Navy may have thought what they were getting when they allowed the restaurant to open up on the military base.

Image from the Island Grille website

“Sam Choy’s Island Style Seafood Grille” located on the base at 3465 Malama Bay Drive, Honolulu, Hawaii IS NOT AFFILIATED with the Celebrity Chef Sam Choy that we have all come to know and love here in Hawaii.

I asked the owner to respond to an email about the ownership of the restaurant… however, after 4 days he has not responded to my email.

Image from Island Grille website

After speaking with those associated with the “Real” Sam Choy, I learned that the restaurant is not even serving the same recipes; Sam does not cook there, and hasn’t ever even been compensated for his namesake on the restaurant.

Sam Choy stated:

“The Hickam / Pearl Harbor Restaurant was opened using my name. To this day I have never seen a penny of royalty or any payment of any sort going towards using my name. I just want the community to be aware of this fact.”

According to an August 19th Facebook post the Island Style Grille is accepting applications using Sam Choy’sname as a hiring point:

“Sam Choy’s Seafood Grille is hiring! Located conveniently on JBPHH right next to Hickam beach! Positions available for all back of house kitchen staff including Line Cooks as well as all front of house including Bartenders and Servers. Experience required for line cook, bartending and serving. Please inquire and/or apply in person or contact us with any questions!!!!!”

I have learned that Choy and his team have retained an attorney and are looking to get his name removed from the restaurant… so until then… just know that this restaurant is not affiliated with the “Real Sam Choy”.

A Hilo man has been charged with 16 offenses stemming from the theft of a purse.

Bronson I. K. Lee

The purse was stolen from an 87-year-old woman at a drug store on Puainako Street in Hilo just before 1:30 p.m. Sunday (March 22). Shortly thereafter, the victim’s credit card was used at two businesses in the vicinity.

At 2:40 p.m., police arrested the suspect, 25-year-old Bronson I. K. Lee, in the parking lot of a home improvement store on Makaʻala Street. He was taken to the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.

At 2:25 p.m. Tuesday (March 24), Lee was charged with five counts of theft, three counts of forgery, four counts of ID theft and four counts of fraudulent use of a credit card. His bail was set at $44,250.

He remains at the cellblock pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Wednesday (March 25).

Two guides who were involved in leading tours into the state Wao Kele O Puna Forest Reserve and Kahaualea Natural Area Reserve were arrested by Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officers on Monday.. The charges were for prohibited entry into closed areas and for engaging in illegal commercial activities on DLNR-managed lands.

Matthew Hoeflinger

DOCARE officers conducted an undercover operation which resulted in the arrest of Matthew Hoeflinger, 50, of Keaau, and Christa Nicholas, 23, of Mountain View. Hoeflinger and Nicholas were charged with the following:

Reckless endangering in the 2nd degree; conducting illegal commercial activities within a forest reserve; entering a closed area within a natural area reserve; and conducting illegal commercial activities within a natural area reserve, all of which are misdemeanor offenses. They are also being charged with trespassing in the 2nd degree; entering a closed area in a forest reserve, which area petty misdemeanor offenses.

Hoeflinger and Nicholas were transported to the Pahoa Police Station for booking and were subsequently released on their own recognizance.

Entry into closed lands is a violation of Hawaii Administrative Rule Sec. 13-221-4 and Hawaii Revised Statute 171-6, and is subject of penalty up to $5,000 for the first offense.

“DLNR intends to prosecute any trespassers who willfully violate the closures and place enforcement officers and emergency personnel at increased risk,” said William J. Aila,Jr., DLNR chairperson.

Signs have been posted at various access points warning the public of the hazardous conditions.

Hawaii Electric Light Company reminds customers to be aware of scams targeting Hawaii Island customers in the wake of Tropical Storm Iselle.

Customers reported receiving telephone calls from someone claiming to be a Hawaii Electric Light claims representative. The customers were asked to provide their social security number. The company also received reports of individuals wearing safety vests and climbing fences and gates to access homes.

Hawaii Electric Light will not contact customers to request personal information or direct customers to submit payments via options other than those listed on the back of the billing statement. The company also will not access private property without first notifying the customer. Employees and approved contractors wear photo identification badges and their vehicles are clearly marked.

For your safety and protection:

Never provide personal, confidential or financial information to an unidentified individual.

Ask questions or ask for proper identification. Request the individual’s name, company name, and phone number.

Be cautious when responding to callers from an unidentified phone number. Phone scammers want to remain anonymous.

Be aware that today’s technology can be used to mask the caller’s phone number and the caller ID could indicate the call is originating from Hawai’i Electric Light, even though it is not.

Report any suspicious activity to local police.

To obtain a claim form, please visit one of our customer service locations in Hilo, Waimea or Kona or visit our website at www.hawaiielectriclight.com.

The Hilo man who parks his truck at Lincoln Park and spews hateful words out of the back of his truck on cardboard signs has been convicted of obtaining benefits from the state illegally.

Facebook profile picture of James Borden

According to arrest records, James G. Borden, 64 of a Hilo address was indicted for Theft in the 2nd Degree on November 21, 2013. Borden was arrested at a Kapiolani Street address on December 17, 2013, and bail was set at $2,000.

The indictment alleges that from April 1st, 2012 to April 30th, 2013, Borden obtained public assistance benefits “by deception” from Department of Health Services that totaled more then $300. He was initially charged with Theft in the 2nd Degree, but on July 11 Judge Glenn Hara accepted Borden’s plea of no contest to a reduced charge of Theft in the 3rd degree.

Borden up at the Hilo Pride Parade being a hate monger against everyone and anything

Borden filed a motion to defer acceptance of his no contest plea, and received a suspended jail sentence. Hara also ordered Borden to complete 50 hours of community service, and to repay the state Department of Human Services.

Another condition of his release is that he must obtain and maintain legal and verifiable full time work or enroll in educational program. It’s unclear whether those court-ordered activities might interfere with his Lincoln Park demonstrations.

At a news conference today in Honolulu, attorneys presented gripping video testimony of predator priest Father Gerald Allen Funcheon admitting the sexual abuse of children during 40 years of assignments in Indiana, Nebraska, Minnesota, Florida, Texas, Hawaii, California, on military bases in the United States and Germany and during travels to Spain.

Priest Father Gerald Allen Funcheon admitting the sexual abuse of children

In the shocking video, the accused predator Funcheon discusses why he wasn’t stopped; explains how he was transferred from assignment to assignment; and how efforts of parents to stop him were thwarted by church and school officials.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/lBcfWtVtmtQ]

At the news conference attorneys also announced a new lawsuit against Funcheon brought by two additional sexual abuse victims at Damien Memorial School in Honolulu. Funcheon, who worked at Damien Memorial School in the early 1980’s, has been accused of sexual abuse by three Hawaii men and more than two dozen men on the mainland. Funcheon has been named in several lawsuits in states around the country, including Indiana, Minnesota and California.

The other day I was browsing the Hawaii Tribune Herald online and I noticed this popup that kept popping up and I kept closing the window and for some reason it would take me back to the front page of the paper. I didn’t really think anything of it at the time… but I just tried to access the paper online again today and got the same pop-up.

I took a closer look at the pop up and it read the following:

I’ve now looked at the West Hawaii Today site and they are also blocking readers from reading the whole articles. It looks like folks are allowed to read 10 pages or something each month before things start getting funny on the sites.

I've used 7 page of 30!

The funny thing is… is they are not only blocking their own written articles… They are blocking articles delivered to them by the Associated Press.

I just checked out Big Island Weekly and it looks like they are still providing free online news… but who knows how long that will last?

Thirty-five-year-old Faavae E. Tuinei was arrested after South Hilo patrol officers took two separate reports of a man using a cellular phone to record females in public bathrooms.

Tuinei reportedly went into a women’s public bathroom in Hilo and used a cellular phone in a bathroom stall to record a 24-year-old woman using the bathroom in the next stall. When witnesses confronted him, he left the area on foot.

Less than an hour later, Tuinei was allegedly observed using a cellular phone in an adjacent stall to record a 13-year-old girl using a public bathroom in the Panaʻewa area. A relative of the victim detained him until police arrived.

Tuinei was arrested and held at the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation. On Monday night, they charged him with two counts of first-degree violation of privacy. He remained in the cellblock in lieu of $20,000 bail until his initial court appearance in South Hilo District Court on Tuesday afternoon (April 3).

Media Release:

Two Kona men face possible felony charges for two incidents of copper theft.

On Monday (April 25) Kona patrol officers responded to a 1:30 p.m. report of a theft in progress at a religious facility.

Personnel from the facility detained two men who had been removing copper materials from a renovation and held them till the officers arrived.

Arriving officers arrested 31-year-old Dallas Runyon and 48-year-old Gordon Kimo Lopes, both of whom have no permanent address but frequent the Kona area. The men were held at the Kona police cellblock while detectives from the Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.

During the investigation, detectives linked the two men to another incident of copper theft and arrested them on suspicion of that offense at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday.

Runyon and Lopes remain at the cellblock while detective continue the investigation.

So a few days ago I broke the news that @alohaarleen is a convicted criminal, a bad check writer, a bad tenant and just an overall scam.

@alohaarleen on Twitter

I just got an email from someone connected to IZEAFest stating the following:

Hi Damon,

Thanks for reaching out to us. Since finding out about this issue, we have severed all ties with Arleen and are in the process of removing any promotion of her from our sites. We do not condone nor will we support this kind of behavior from any of our associates.

I received the following email from a friend a few months ago and I figure since the Win Essay House contest people are now starting to target us locally… I’ll throw this out on the table for anyone that wants to look it over

I’m pretty much tired of this whole gambit but it’s a slow news day and I feel the need to let folks know what could… or could not be going on:

I did a little research on the Castle guys; they have a blog, and it looks like this post …

Friday, November 21, 2008

Fact: this project (THE CASTLE) has been five plus years in the making.
Fact: it is no secret that the money to finish this project is tied up in another project, a “work of art” the builder, my husband (Castle John-more on nicknames in a future post) created. This “other” project was completed at the beginning of this year JUST as the real estate market took a dive.

Everyone is always asking, “when will the castle be finished?” My answer, “my crystal ball broke” or “how much money are you willing to give or lend?”

I’ve been focused on trying to discover the vehicle that would enable us to finish the castle.
It’s on our vision board. My obsessive and constant thought: be creative, pro-active, daring. I wish we could raffle off this “work of art” (we call it the sweetheart cottage or gingerbread house). Actually, I saw a “piece” on TV on a couple who did just that in Maryland. Well, no, we cannot. That’s illegal in Hawaii – unless you are a non-profit organization. Then an attorney told me a contest of skill is LEGAL. Ok, fine… I’m developing a plan. A brainstorm. My husband would say, “be careful, it’s in a strange place.” A solution and an answer to a prayer. We will give the home as a grand prize. Without forgetting to give back to the community. After much soul-searching we decided to benefit the future – the children. Our local schools are so much in need during this time of “budget cuts”. And in exchange for this gift, kokua (help) from them – Judges! Perfect – teachers (and especially retired teachers who HAVE time) will be the judges for the contest of skill. An essay contest. Essay 101. The teachers “judge” essays and give grades all the time! Tithing as well. We believe (the builder and I) that tithing is a no-brainer. This won’t be easy, but it will be soooooo worth it! Stay tuned. It’s gonna be big! The idea is filling my heart with aloha as I type. I’m blessed-out anew.

So check out the sweetheart cottage – imagine winning it for $101!

…shows when they came up with the contest idea, but questions still remain:

– Is their B&B is licensed? (A few calls to the county should get the answer). If not, shining a light on that ought to make ’em squirm a little.

– I sent an email yesterday from the essay site requesting the TMK # for the ‘cottage’, but no reply.

– They claim their names are ‘Sherri Smith‘ and ‘John Williams‘, but there are no owners of any Kalapana Seaview Estates (KSVE) properties with those names. Knowing approximately where the ‘castle’ is, I used some TMK maps and my MLS program to figure out where these properties are.

– The properties (Castle & Cottage) are owned by Robert & Melody Williams of 641 Undercliff Dr. in Hazelwood, MO…so are they the parents of one of the essay people? Or the kids? Or aliases? I don’t know…

The “Castle” TMK 3-1-2-34-16 (click the TMK# to see the Public Record info, and look at the attached Castle Building Permit.pdf file to see what permits the county has on record). Interesting to note that the tax record for this property shows “Robert Williams, a married man…in Hazelwood, MO as the owner).

The “Cottage” TMK 3-1-2-41-8 (click the TMK# to see the Public Record info, and look at the attached Cottage Building Permit.pdf file to see what permits the county has on record). The tax record for this property shows “Robert & Melody Williams” of the same Hazelwood, MO address as the ‘castle’ owners, yet the building permit shows “John Williams” as the “lessee” of the property.

The final inspection / approval for the construction was issued 2/12/2008, however the Public Record data does indicate any dwelling and it seems as though they aren’t being assessed / taxed properly yet.

But that’s not the strangest part…the vacant lot (before the cottage was built on it) was listed for sale in Jan. 2006 for $50K, then withdrawn from the market after 90 days (on 4/21/2006) when it didn’t sell; then less than 2 months later on June 5, 2006 it sold for $50K to “Casey Francis”, with a simultaneous transfer (the same day) to Robert Williams for $250,000 !!!!! WTF? (the deed was actually signed by “John Williams” who apparently had power-of-attorney to sign it).

A vacant lot has NEVER sold in Seaview for that much, let alone one like the cottage is on….Lots nearby the cottage were selling for $50-$60K in 2006, and are currently for sale in the $20-$50k range….something is very strange about that sale…it could be an typo / error, but I don’t know. Money laundering? Maybe there’s nothing to it, but it sure is weird.

The cottage is way up at the top of Seaview, backing up to State land. (Picture cut off due to blog format)

So here’s where it gets really bizarre..I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before…and it kind of makes the whole “essay contest” look like flat-out FRAUD: Once I figured out what TMK it is, I searched for any listings on the property, and guess what? The house has been listed for sale on the MLS since September 10, 2008 (over 4 months) for $445,000! (It’s ridiculously overpriced….my guess is that it would appraise for only $250-$300K)

Sherri did say on KGMB9 that the house has “been on the market for about a year” (maybe they were trying to sell it “by owner” before listing it in September), and is clearly currently for sale on the MLS…so that means that any day — today, tomorrow, whenever — someone could make an offer and actually BUY the house (and everybody who entered the “contest of skill” would have wasted their fucking time & money). I can find no mention of this on the contest website, nor in any of the BIW or blog articles, nor on ScamWick’s website. The fact that they haven’t disclosed the “active-for-sale” MLS listing seems like a serious issue….(maybe I’m wrong and I’ve missed some “disclaimer” somewhere? See if you can find anything).

Not to mention the fact that the MLS listing doesn’t mention anything about the “contest” either!

Remarks: The brand new “Sweetheart Cottage” is an exceptionally crafted custom home with many features and amenities that are bound to impress you.

Located the very back of Seaview Estates in a lovely setting, this 3 bedroom/2 bath home has 1,296 sq ft of living space plus a garage with workshop AND a 960 sq ft lanai to enjoy your indoor/outdoor living. This is a one-of-kind property that does not come around very often. The attention to detail will amaze you!

EXTERIOR Features and Amenities include:
Hardi plank siding with stain, so there will be no maintenance in future
50 year Manufacturer’s Warranty on the slate roof
Copper Gutters and downspouts surround the house.
Catchment tank is built into the foundation for cleanest water and easy maintenance
Cupula for maximum air circulation throughout house

Security system

INTERIOR Features and Amenities include:
Huge kitchen! Granite counter tops with lots of cabinet storage and island bar
Marble flooring throughout
Hand crafted and carved wood trim around all doors and windows. WOW.
Large ceiling fans in each room, including the lanai
Open ceilings are tongue and groove, adding warmth and open space to your environment
Bedrooms have mirrored closet doors and large picture windows

It’s official… I read the newspaper today at work and low and behold… there it was.

Of course I appreciate Peter for filling me in on the scoops on the corrected Press Release that went out… and of course I appreciate my little birds that drop by now and then with their little tid bits of information.

Here is the article in full from the Hawaii Tribune Herald. I’m posting it in full because I know that soon enough… people will be charged to read this again… I hate that model of information… Give it free now… but then charge for it later.

Public Works PIO criticized

By Tribune-Herald

The Big Island Press Club has selected Noelani Whittington, public information officer for the Hawaii County Department of Public Works, as the unfavorable recipient of the Big Island Press Club’s Lava Tube Award, given annually to highlight the worst violation of government openness in the state.

The Torch of Light Award, awarded for the best example of open government, goes to Gov. Linda Lingle and the Hawaii State Legislature for passing a law to protect newsgatherers from revealing confidential sources.

Whittington “wins” this year for a memo she wrote in mid-November directing employees how to handle media requests. The memo directed employees not to speak to the media, not to discuss the causes of problems and how to stop the photographing or videotaping of baseyards and road projects.

The since-rescinded memo named several individuals — video producer Dave Corrigan, and bloggers Aaron Stene and Damon Tucker — who are not to receive any information from the department. This is despite the Hawaii County Charter requirement that “all persons shall be treated in a courteous, fair and impartial manner.” Whittington ignored the Charter when she wrote, “They are not journalists. They write what they think.”

“We hope that all the ex-journalists now working in the Kenoi administration will encourage a new standard for openness and access to information in county government,” said BIPC President Peter Serafin. “Today, every presidential press release is available to anyone with a computer and a modem — news professional or not. How can any local government justify being less open?”

In 2008 Reps. Blake Oshiro, Kirk Caldwell, Glenn Wakai, Gene Ward and Tommy Waters introduced a journalism shield bill, which the Legislature passed with no “nay” votes, and which Gov. Linda Lingle signed into law.

The Lava Tube and Torch of Light awards are announced each year on March 16, which is celebrated nationwide as Freedom of Information Day on the birthday of James Madison, the foremost champion of openness in government among the nation’s founding fathers.

The Big Island Press Club was founded in Hilo, in 1967.

The Lava Tube and Torch of Light awards have been presented annually since being established on the occasion of the Club’s 30th anniversary in 1997.

Now, for the first time YOU can legally own one square foot of land on the beautiful Island of Maui.

This property is located along the spectacular Hana Coast of Maui.

You will own one square foot of 83,635 square feet. The breath-taking views of Haleakala Crater, the ocean and an incredible waterfall are eye-catching.

A unique and lasting gift for anyone.

Give yourself an award. What a thrill to own property, of any size, on Maui.

The land will be in conservation and protected for all time. No buildings, just gorgeous, lush greenspace in all it’s jungle splendor.

Now, without fear of foreclosure, dealing with banks or lenders, you can own your piece of paradise. One easy, unbelievable low payment of $9.99 gets you ownership of one square foot of Maui. You become a steward of the ‘aina.

And on top of that… they send you this DEED… or should I say… “Dead”.

Of course there are a few legal disclaimers such as:

The Grantee shall not make any improvements to or develop the parcels. Grantee shall not occupy the parcel. Grantee grants rights of ingress and egress over the parcels. This non-recordable Maui Land Deed is a novelty item and is not to be used for investment purposes. Grantee shall not receive any income or derive any other financial benefits whatsoever from the parcel or any portion thereof. Grantor is managing agent of the property and will be responsible for all real estate taxes on the property and for complying with any and all local regulations. Grantor reserves the right to relocate granted parcels to another comparable Maui parcel. Grantor reserves the right to buy back the parcel for full price paid and you keep the deed as a gift from us to you. Grantor must, before November 1, 2009, exercise this option to buy back the parcels. The number of parcels sold will not exceed the number in the property. Menehune Land Sales LLC will not develop or improve the property, except with state and local government approval.

But seriously folks… If any of you folks want the same deal in my backyard… I’ll give it to you for half the price… Deed included. :roll:

If you want to see the bogus offer yourself… you can click here. Don’t blame me if you buy the piece of property and it’s got a sinkhole on it though.

Would Hawaii County specifically tell county employees to withhold information from me? Could this have already happened without me not even knowing it? Who is that Damon Tucker guy? Why would the County worry so much about me? Was there a County “Directive” to keep information from bloggers? Did this directive actually happen for 10 days? Why wasn’t I ever made aware of it if there was?

Find out that and more in the next few days… Trust me, the suspense is killing me and a couple other bloggers more then it will ever hurt you folks reading this.

Rumor has it… that for 10 days a gag order was put out to some County Officials to not speak to me specifically, as well as at least two other bloggers on this island that I will not mention by name unless it mentions it in the upcoming newspaper piece.

More to come in the next few days.

Would the local newspapers actually run a story about Bloggers? And further more… Will they stand up for bloggers and “public information”.

Same Bat Blog… Same Bat Smuck… Same damn government Bullshit!

More to come in the next days.

I have the feeling someone is going to end up with a Smuck Award after this is all said and done with.